Media: Press Releases

New Survey Sheds Light On Moms’ Perspectives About
ADHD Medications

Moms of Children Taking ADHD Prescription Medication Feel Like
They Are Doing the Right Thing, Yet Challenges and Knowledge Gaps Remain

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A new online survey of moms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) conducted by Mom Central Consulting and Noven Therapeutics,
LLC reveals that, while nearly all (93 percent) moms of children treated
with prescription medication feel like they are doing the right thing,
challenges managing ADHD symptoms and knowledge gaps related to treatment
options remain. The survey, titled “Kids and ADHD: Assessing Where Moms
Stand on Treatment,” was conducted in August 2012 among 1,011 moms of
children ages six to 17 diagnosed with ADHD and treated with prescription
medication.

Approximately nine out of ten surveyed moms report observing several
positive results since their child began treatment on any of a variety
of stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD prescription medications. Despite
improvements, more than half (51 percent) of moms said they had experienced
challenges adjusting their child’s treatment schedule between school
days, weekend days and holidays. The survey found that most moms would
value a long-acting medication option that lasts throughout the school
day (81 percent), as well as the ability to manage treatment-related
side effects that occur late in the day, such as decreased appetite and
difficulty sleeping associated with stimulant medications (55 percent).
However, less than one- third of moms (31 percent) surveyed say they
are aware of an alternative treatment option that may address these particular
concerns.

"What is encouraging about these survey findings is that moms of
children with ADHD feel empowered to manage their child’s ADHD treatment
and are finding successes in doing so,” said Patricia Quinn, M.D., a
developmental pediatrician, former clinical assistant professor of pediatrics
at Georgetown University Medical Center and mother who has children with
ADHD. “However, the survey indicates that education gaps exist with respect
to ADHD medications, including knowledge of a non-oral treatment option
that might help meet the needs of certain patients.”

Gaps in Knowledge
The survey found that while moms have done their homework
– 96 percent say they feel knowledgeable now about ADHD – almost half
(47 percent) say that at times they had not felt fully informed about
all available treatment options and seek insight from their child’s healthcare
provider for information. After being briefly educated about the potential
benefits of a medication patch treatment option, 85 percent of moms say
they would be interested in learning more and would be likely to ask
their child’s doctor about a medication patch, presumably for a full
discussion of benefits and risks.

“This survey points to the vital role of healthcare providers to educate
parents and caregivers about the range of treatment options available
in order to best determine a tailored plan that may include behavioral
management and ADHD medication,” said Dr. Quinn.

Attitudes About ADHD Medication Treatment

While most moms feel empowered (78 percent) since their child
began treatment with any of a variety of stimulant or non-stimulant
ADHD prescription medications, some moms surveyed are still uncertain
about using medication (59 percent) and are worried about long-term
medication effects (85 percent).

Many moms say that they have engaged in some negotiation
with their child to take his or her medication (41 percent), which
mostly happens in the morning (83 percent), making before-school routines
difficult. Moreover, of these moms who have had to negotiate, more
than half (52 percent) say one reason is that their child does not
like swallowing a pill/capsule.

A Medication Patch for
ADHD
Daytrana® is the first and only long-acting medication patch indicated
for the treatment of ADHD in children (ages 6-12) and adolescents (ages
13-17). The Daytrana® patch should be used as part of a total treatment
program for ADHD that may include other measures (psychological, educational,
and social). Efficacy of Daytrana® was demonstrated in a classroom study
by teacher and observer SKAMP Deportment subscale ratings, as well as
in the outpatient setting using the ADHD-Rating Scale-IV. Daytrana®,
marketed by Noven Therapeutics, LLC, contains the stimulant medication
methylphenidate and is a controlled substance. Like other stimulant ADHD
medications, Daytrana® is subject to potential dependence and abuse.

Daytrana® reduces ADHD symptoms for up to ten hours, lasting throughout
the school day and/or a full day of activities. The Daytrana® patch can
also be removed earlier for shorter duration to accommodate patients’
changing schedules and to help manage treatment-related side effects,
such as decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping. In clinical studies,
with the full nine hour wear time, 26 percent of children and adolescents
experienced some loss of appetite and 13 percent of children and 6 percent
of adolescents experienced some trouble sleeping.

Daytrana® employs a transdermal delivery system designed to smoothly
deliver the stimulant medication directly into the bloodstream, avoiding
possible food effects. The most common side effects seen while using
the Daytrana® patch include skin problems (redness, small bumps, itching)
where the patch is applied, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach
pain, weight loss, tics, trouble sleeping, mood swings and dizziness.
Caregivers should speak with their child’s doctor before adjusting his
or her treatment regimen. Side effects with Daytrana®, discussed immediately
below, are similar to those with oral methylphenidate products except
for skin irritation. Redness at the patch application site is usual.
Of course, many factors go into consideration of the risks and benefits
of the various choices of how to treat ADHD. For more information, visit
www.Daytrana.com and read the following Important Safety Information.

Important Safety Information for Parents and Caregivers

IMPORTANT: Daytrana is a controlled substance (CII) because it can be
abused or lead to dependence. Keep Daytrana in a safe place to protect
it from theft. Selling or giving away Daytrana may harm others and is
against the law.

Tell the prescribing doctor if your child has ever abused or been dependent
on alcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs.

The Daytrana patch should not be used if your child has been diagnosed
as very anxious, tense, or agitated; has an eye problem called glaucoma;
has tics (repeated movements or sounds that cannot be controlled); has
a diagnosis or family history of Tourette's syndrome; is taking a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) medicine or has discontinued an MAOI medicine
in the last 2 weeks; or is allergic to methylphenidate, acrylic adhesive,
or silicone adhesive (does not contain latex).

Serious heart problems have been reported with the Daytrana patch or
other stimulant medicines including:

sudden death in people with heart problems or heart defects

stroke
and heart attack in adults

increased blood pressure and heart rate

Tell the doctor if your child
or a family member has any heart problems, heart defects, or increased
blood pressure and heart rate. Remove the Daytrana patch and call
the doctor right away if your child has any signs of heart problems
such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while using
Daytrana.

Serious mental (psychiatric) problems have been reported with the Daytrana
patch or other stimulant medicines including:

new or worse aggressive behavior, hostility, anger or irritability

new
or worse bipolar illness or mania (an extreme increase in activity
or talking)

new or worse psychosis (hearing or seeing things that
are not real, being suspicious, or distrustful, believing things
that are not true)

other unusual or extreme changes in behavior or
mood

Tell the doctor
about any mental problems your child or family members have including
suicide or depression, bipolar illness, mania, or psychosis. Call the
doctor right away if your child has any new or worsening mental symptoms
or problems while using the Daytrana patch.

Be sure to tell the doctor if your child is pregnant or breast feeding.

Serious side effects such as seizures (this usually happens in children
with a history of seizures), slowing of growth (weight and height), eyesight
changes or blurred vision have been reported with the Daytrana patch.
Your child should have their height, weight, and blood work checked while
using the Daytrana patch and your doctor may stop treatment if a problem
is found during these check-ups. Allergic skin rash may occur. Stop using
Daytrana and see the doctor right away if swelling, bumps, or blisters
happen at or around where the patch is applied.

If the patch is worn longer than 9 hours in a day, or if more than 1
patch is worn at a time, too much medicine has been applied. Avoid exposing
the Daytrana patch to direct external heat sources such as hair dryers,
heating pads, electric blankets, heated water beds, or other heat sources
while wearing the patch. Heating the patch could cause too much medicine
to pass into your child's body and cause serious side effects.

The most common side effects seen while using the Daytrana patch include
skin problems (redness, small bumps, itching) where the patch is applied,
poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, weight loss, tics, trouble
sleeping, mood swings, and dizziness.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs
to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Approximately
5.4 million children have been diagnosed with ADHD, one of the most common
childhood disorders. Symptoms can include difficulty staying focused,
paying attention and controlling behavior. While many children may demonstrate
characteristics of ADHD, for those diagnosed, the symptoms tend to happen
more often and can become more severe over time, interfering with learning.
There is no one way to treat a child with ADHD. However, children who
have a treatment plan with both behavioral treatment and ADHD medications
often do the best. Prescription medications for ADHD include stimulants
(methylphenidates or amphetamines) and non-stimulants. Data on long-term
effects of ADHD medication use is limited. Drug treatment may not be
indicated for all patients with this syndrome.

About the Survey
The “Kids and ADHD: Assessing Where Moms Stand on Treatment
Survey” was commissioned by Noven Therapeutics, LLC to better understand
how moms of children diagnosed with ADHD manage ADHD symptoms and treatment
with their child’s doctor. The nine-question survey was conducted online
from August 14 to August 23, 2012, programmed and analyzed by Mom Central
Consulting. All respondents belong to the Mom Central Testing Panel,
consisting of a nationwide pool of moms spanning relevant demographics,
such as household income, education, age, number and age of children.

Online questions generally asked participants to choose from lists of
selected issues that might have applied to their child at some time.
The survey also asked participants whether they strongly agreed, somewhat
agreed, somewhat disagreed, or strongly disagreed with various statements
about their and their child’s experiences with ADHD and ADHD treatments.
Responses could be added such as “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree.”
Depending upon their answers, up to five follow-up questions could be
added. All survey respondents had at least one child in the household
between the ages of six and 17 years of age who has been diagnosed with
ADHD and is treated with prescription medication.

About Noven Therapeutics, LLC
Noven Therapeutics, LLC is a subsidiary of Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the research, development,
manufacturing, marketing and sale of prescription pharmaceutical
products. Noven is committed to developing and offering products
and technologies that meaningfully benefit patients, its customers
and its industry partners. Noven is a stand-alone operating subsidiary
of Japan-based Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc., and serves as
Hisamitsu’s U.S. growth platform in prescription pharmaceuticals.
For more information about Noven, visit www.noven.com. For information about Hisamitsu, visit www.global.hisamitsu.